Pringle and Rainey on board at Charlotte Street

Media adviser Charlotte Street Partners has hired two key figures from the communications and creative industries in a move aimed at broadening its service.

Kevin Pringle (left), strategic communications director for the Scottish National Party, has joined as a partner while creative industries adviser MT Rainey becomes a director.

Mr Pringle has enjoyed a high profile as a senior backroom figure in the political world. In May 2007 he was appointed senior special adviser to the then First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, and has been strategic communications director for the SNP since September 2012.

He worked for Centrica as Scottish Gas corporate affairs manager between June 2004 and December 2006, and joined the SNP’s 2007 election campaign at the turn of that year.

He is the second senior SNP officer to move recently to a PR agency. Luke Skipper, the party’s Westminster chief of staff, has been hired by Weber Shandwick.

She is also a non executive director of Channel 4 and of Pinewood Studios. In a voluntary capacity she is vice chairman of Creative Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries. She is also the founder of social enterprise Horsesmouth.co.uk an online venue for safe, informal mentoring, inspired by the potential of social media to create public value.

A graduate of Glasgow University, MT has had an extensive career in advertising both in the United States and the UK, and is a previous chairman of both the Marketing Group of Great Britain and The Thirty Club.

The chairman of Charlotte Street Partners, Sir Angus Grossart, said: “MT has an outstanding track record in building, managing and guiding communications businesses in the UK and internationally. Her wisdom and experience will be important assets for the board as the company builds on its early successes.

“In Kevin, we have recruited one of the outstanding communications strategists of his generation. We are pleased that he has chosen to bring his talents to Charlotte Street Partners at such a significant moment in Scottish and UK public life.

“Businesses and institutions across the UK are facing an extended period of challenge and reform, and our team of senior advisers is now even better placed to help our clients successfully manage the many opportunities and risks that can and do arise.”

Ms Rainey said: “Charlotte Street Partners is an exciting and ambitious young business in an increasingly important sector, with roots in Scotland, but with national reach and international ambition. I am pleased to be part of the team and excited to be able to help steer them through the challenges of growth.”

Mr Pringle said: “Following a remarkable and intense few years of political campaigning, I’m looking forward to a fresh challenge in the private sector. Charlotte Street Partners is an exciting young business with a high-quality team.

“They already have an impressive mix of major clients and I am keen to play my part in helping to take the business forward. My final few weeks with the SNP will be spent at Westminster, where the new-look House of Commons promises to provide a fascinating experience.”

Laura Leslie, who is on an extended secondment from TSB, has been promoted to associate partner. Chris Sibbald, part of the founding team, has been promoted to senior associate.